STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It helps develop collaboration, creative thinking, a curious mind, and problem-solving. Check out these kits that can help support STEM programming in your library! These kits are available for a 4-week checkout period and can be mailed.
Cardboard Engineering Kit
Cardboard boxes are everywhere, so why not save some and use them for a program? Promote collaboration and STEAM learning with the Cardboard Engineering Kit. Look through the four included books for inspiration, then engineer forts, structures, wearables, mazes, and more!
We have two sets, each including one copy of each of the following books:
Each set also includes an assortment of Box Lox Clips.
Each set also includes an assortment of MakeDo items.
Mechanics: Wheels, Axles, & Inclined Planes
Get the MECHANICS: Wheels, Axles, and Inclined Planes set and learn how Wheels and Axles use friction to move objects easily and how big tires compare to small tires. Find out how an Inclined Plane can be used for lifting heavy objects and how another form of inclined plane, the wedge, is used in everyday applications. Build 14 working models such as a launching platform, a door with a knob, a well, an airport staircase, an experimental ramp, and a splitting wedge.
Newton's Laws: Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic and Potential Energy
Learn all about the ingenious Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion which are the basis of classical mechanics that still describe most everyday life situations. Observe the effects of kinetic and potential energy and see first-hand how energy is transformed from one form to the other. Build 8 working models such as a ballistic catapult, a gravity fan, a collision car, a moving cabin, a balloon-powered plane, and a dragster.
Physics Laws: Inertia, Friction, Circular Motion & Energy Conversion
Learn all about Newton's laws of motion which are the basis of classical mechanics that still describe most everyday life situations. Experiment with kinetic and potential energy in order to discover the properties of energy and how it is transformed from one form to the other.
Structures: Buildings and Bridges
Learn all about buildings and how they literally support our lives! Construct different types of bridges and find out how their architectural design provides massive weight support. Discover all the types of forces applied and how engineers manage to reduce their effects.
KEVA Planks
KEVA planks are precision-engineered wooden building blocks that help participants learn about the principles of physics, geometry, and construction. They can construct buildings or design Rube Goldberg style ball-runs. Create challenges for participants to work towards and push their creativity.
We have two sets, each including approximately 800 KEVA planks and 16 KEVA balls.
Castle Engineering and Design Building Kit
Let the challenges begin! Develop engineering and design skills fit for kings and queens! Design, build, and adventure through your very own castle. Engineering and design challenges put you to the test at every twist, turn, and dropping drawbridge. Dream up fun fantasy quests with the set's knights and horse figures.
City Engineering and Design Building Kit
Encourage an early love of STEM learning with this one-of-a-kind City Building Set. Your little engineers can create their own skyscrapers, cranes, bridges, and more with 89 easy-to-assemble pieces. Use the included activity cards to complete design challenges, or create your own city. It's a unique way to challenge logic, problem-solving, and engineering skills.
Playground Park Engineering and Design Building Kit
Encourage your child to come up with their own designs or they can follow the Challenge Cards, which include how to build different pieces of equipment on a playground (a twisty slide, a swing set, a seesaw, and more). Reproducible worksheets based on the engineering design process are included in the guide.
Skate Park Engineering and Design Building Kit
Build ramps, build jumps, and then send your skater flying with the Skate Park Building Set. This unique engineering and design challenge helps sharpen critical thinking, problem-solving, and STEM skills as little ones create the skate park of their dreams. Engineer it and then engineer it again with the included activity cards that help guide the process.
Tree House Engineering and Design Building Kit
Design and engineer the tree house of your dreams with this one-of-a-kind building set. Use the included activity cards to complete engineering challenges. Build railings, platforms, trees, and then use your problem-solving skills to re-engineer your design. Kids will love building their tree house-parents will love that they're actually building critical thinking and STEM skills.
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